• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Perfect size fixed blade

S

Stuartvt

Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
28
I am looking for the perfect sized fixed blade. The best balance between size, weight and utility. This will be used for general outdoor purposes for camping and hiking. I have always favored bigger knives such as 6 to 7 inches but now am rethinking the 4 to 5.5 inch size. I have been thinking about one of the Chris Reeves one piece knives in either the 4 or 5.5-inch versions.

I realize most of us have many size knives, but if you could only have one what size would it be.

I would be interested in hearing preferences and why.

Thanks ahead for any info.

Stuart
 
Anywhere from a 3- 4 1/2 inch blade will serve you well. Anything much larger is just too cumbersome/awkward IMO. I have skinned many a Deer with my 3 to 4 inch blades. This in MHO is the best all around carry size that works for me. Others may differ on this.
 
The Bark River Huntsman is a great knife for the experienced user. It is way too sharp for a beginner. I like this model because it has a blade guard. It is convex ground A2 steel. Very very sharp. Yet not a big Bowie style honker to weigh you down while hiking, hunting, camping, etc. Bark River has a bunch of good ones for the experienced user.

http://barkriverknives.com/gallery/album68

http://barkriverknives.com/

I would put this up against any Reeve knife in a cutting competition.
 
Thats a hard question to answer. I don't think there is a "perfect" size fix blade for everyone. Really depends on what you want to use it for, where you want to use it, and what your preferences are. A good example would be the difference in blade choices for the N.W forest and the South American jungle. The machete would be much better suited to the jungle than the standard 4"-6" belt knife. Some more info on what, where you want to use it might help.

I prefer a 4" utility blade for my belt carry. I find that coupled with an Axe, and a good pocket folder; it is the best all around for ME. I'm sure others wouldn't agree however. Here is my favorite set up for where I live:
4" O1 steel blade. Scandi grind with a convexed secondary bevel. Micarta scales.
Click to expand...

 
For everyday carry I prefer a 3 1/4" fixed blade pocket carry. For the great outdoors it depends on the situation. If I had to choose, I would most likely go for the larger blade 5". You can use it for almost ever task from chopping to cooking. Smaller knives are great for everyday, but for camping a larger knife has more uses. If I had the choice I would have a smaller 3 1/4 and a larger 5+ for the heavier tasks.

I have used the Chris Reeve IV, which is a 5 1/2” blade, and it works great. These days it sits in the cabinet and I use my daily carry 3 1/4" for most things. It all comes down to function and comfort. List your uses and you will start to see which knife will be more useful.

Hope this helps.
 
tarmix101 said:
Thats a hard question to answer. I don't think there is a "perfect" size fix blade for everyone. Really depends on what you want to use it for, where you want to use it, and what your preferences are. A good example would be the difference in blade choices for the N.W forest and the South American jungle. The machete would be much better suited to the jungle than the standard 4"-6" belt knife. Some more info on what, where you want to use it might help.

I prefer a 4" utility blade for my belt carry. I find that coupled with an Axe, and a good pocket folder; it is the best all around for ME. I'm sure others wouldn't agree however. Here is my favorite set up for where I live:


Click to expand...
Where did you get that awsome Beast?:thumbup:
 
Best all rounder in my opinion is a 6-7.5" blade. This is a medium sized knife that will be able to chop, split and hack, but still be able to do the smaller jobs to. My SR camp tramp is my favorite all rounder.
 
:rolleyes:
I suppose it depends what other tools you have. If you have a hatchet/hand axe, then you can do most other jobs with a 4" knife. What is this knife supposed to be perfect for?
 
perksy said:
Best all rounder in my opinion is a 6-7.5" blade. This is a medium sized knife that will be able to chop, split and hack, but still be able to do the smaller jobs to. My SR camp tramp is my favorite all rounder.
Click to expand...
That is way to huge for me but, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I find a 3 to 4 inch blade more than adequate but, not for chopping or spliting wood as I have a light axe that handles that department. I do not carry the axe but, leave it in camp until I need it.:thumbup:
 
My RAT 3 gets it done for me. It can cut bait or skin a deer after it does the days food prep. The D2 really keeps on cutting.
rat34hg.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top